In December 2011 our Living history group traveled once again to the Ardennes, following the trails of the US 2nd and 99th Infantry in the Krinkelt area. First days march took us to the German border and heartbreak crossroads, after a short break we pulled back marching though the night to positions of the 395th Regt, 99 Div,we took shelter in some foxholes a CP dugout and a fortified Aid station first came the snow and then the heavy rain so we pulled out around 06:00

Second day had us performing some commemorative parades at Krinkelt and Elsenborn followed by drinks with the local mayor,in the afternoon we had a whistle stop tour of battle sites and some photos

We (and all our kit )were all very wet and the nights sleep out at 2nd div position had to be abandoned so we returnd to our base camp at Camp Elsenborn

Third day we woke to a whiteout, around eight inches had fallen overnight, we moved out to our foward base in Krinkelt, after assembling the group and issuing ration we set out on a short march to Elsenborn, the march was very relaxed without any time pressure with lots of photos taken enrouteon the last evening we had dinner an the hotel in Wirtzfeld a 2nd Div HQ in 1944/45

While we can never really understand what the guys went through, trips like this give an insight everyday problems, staying dry, getting a hot meal or drink, trying to get some sleep in a hole in the ground, even taking a dump.

Our living history group is made up of like minded people from across Europe, UK and USA. For 20 years the UK section have been traveling to the Ardennes for the "In the Footsteps march" for the 82nd Airborne. About ten years ago we started to do our own thing in december. Together with our friends from europe we have done events for the 82nd, 101st AB 5th, 2nd, 28th, 99th ,106th, 9th and 10th Armored.

99th Dec 11

the event includes a march (or two or three ) and at least one night sleeping out in a barn shed or this year a foxhole and aid station and a commemoritve parade/event, wreath laying etc

The events are open to anyone with the correct equipment (very strict uniform regs ) the right approach and the ability to work with the team

I think I once saw an article about one of your groups events in a 2008 Skirmish living history magazine article 'Annual March -In the footsteps of the 82nd Airborne Division'. I never got a chance to read the actual article but remember trying to find it as I was just starting WW2 collecting for reenactment.

I guess these events on the actual site of the historic battles would give a unique perspective. I would love to take a trip to Europe in the future and participate in this type of event.

OK not plugging here but you asked. Working under the umbrella of Second Armored in Europe, the people in our group come from a number of different living history societies across Europe (at least 3 in the Uk) who as individuals come togther to go that extra yard.being on the ground gives you all the books and maps leave out, the terain, the cold, how crap dubble buckle boots are in the rain and snow etc.

Alain, Ben and others here will tell you about the terain on the "in the footsteps of the 82nd march"